NINE ITEMS OF FRENCH, ENGLISH, AND CONTINENTAL MILITARY REGALIA, 19TH CENTURY, comprising an English Royal Navy Officer's bicorn hat tôle box with applied brass crowned shield centering "MATTHEWS / & Co / OUTFITTERS / PORTSEA," flanked by Union Jack flags, height: 8 3/4" width: 19", depth: 8"; a pair of of English Royal Navy Officer's gilt epaulettes with insignia mounted gilt textile boards and suspending large gilt coiled wire tassels, verso marked "LEFT," or "RIGHT," length: 7"; a pair of English gilt brass epaulettes with gilt textile covered boards ending in "C" form borders and suspending coiled gilt wire tassels, length: 6 3/4"; a pair of French brass epaulettes with spread winged eagle button on a ripple waved board ending in a "C" form panel, length: 7 1/8"; a Continental gilt brass epaulette with twist wire joined hexagonal domed studs above a stepped board ending in stepped "Cs" panels, suspending small coiled gilt wire tassels, length: 6 1/4"; a pair of French nickle plated and leather wrapped binoculars, marked "CHEVALIER / PARIS," and "DAY NIGHT / GLASS," with telescope adjustable lenses and bridge stamped "MADE IN FRANCE," length: 6 3/4"; a French Empire Fusilier's Shako brass badge, 84th Line, circa 1812, with a repoussé spread winged eagle clutching a curved blade enclosing a pierced 84 above crossed berried laurel branches and ending in facing lion's masks, height: 4 3/4", width: 4 3/8", within a gilt framed shadow box; a French Legion of Honor medal with a silver ring suspending a cross topped crown hung with a green enameled laurel branch wreath behind a white Maltese cross with ball tips, centering a gilt disc with classical profile bust of Napoleon on a radiating background and encircled by a deep blue enameled band with gilt lettered "NAPOLEON EMPEREUR DES FRANÇAIS," reversing to a spread winged eagle clutching lightening bolts on a horizontal lined background and encircled by a deep blue enameled band with gilt lettered "HONNEUR ET PATRIE," over crossed laurel leaf branches, length: 2 1/2"; an Austrian brass mounted black leather fireman's helmet with side lion's masks suspending leather chin straps, from municipality of Königstetten, with arched flange mounted top above a repoussé badge of scrolling acanthus leaves flanking a burnt orange shield centering a monogram, over a "KÖNIGSTETTEN" banner and short visor, verso interior fitted with cut leather and cord canopy before a printed paper label "MILITAR u.FEUERHEHR-EFFEKTEN / HELME-AUSRÜSTUNGEN / JOH. GLAUBINGER / EIGENER ERZEUGUNG / WIEN XVII/2 ALSGASSE 4," height: 7 1/2", width: 6 1/2", depth: 9".
Condition
The tôle hat box has expected surface rust patches, dings, dents, scratches, and general wear. The epaulets have buildup in crevices throughout, dings, minor scratches, tarnish, losses, and general wear. The binoculars are in heavily used condition and have worn nickel plating, tarnish, dents, marks, scratches, dry leather, losses, and general wear. The Empire Fusiliers shako badge is lacking the crown and the eagle was separated from the blade, dents, dings, small scratches, and general wear. The Legion of Honor medal has some enamel chips, tarnish, and normal surface wear. The Austrian fireman's helmet has dry, cracked leather, tarnished brass, small scratches, dings, rust, small bends on the rim, the front visor is slightly separating from helmet, and normal general wear throughout. Simpson Galleries strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Simpson Galleries regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Simpson Galleries. All lots offered are sold "AS IS."